[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter LVIII

Bishopscourt, Dec, 2, 1766

That Sancho arrived safe at his new quarters is sure; but whether he apprehended, which was the case, that I was pre-engaged with one of the last of old Prince's progeny, or whatever was his fancy, he made it directly to my sister, and closely attends her abroad and up and down stairs, and though he vouchsafes to come to me when called, yet his whole attentions is to his mistress; but the worst part of the story is still behind. One day last week, whilst I was riding out, as my sister was sitting in. the parlour writing, and the door open, in comes a strange dog, and fell upon the young puppies so unmercifully as to leave Sancho for dead, for he so appeared, for some time, quite motionless. In this distresed condition, Madame Hesther remained for ten minutes; no servant man to be come at, Peg above stairs, and the rest of the maids in the kitchen, on peeping into the hall, immediately retired and shut themselves into the kitchen, leaving their mistress to shift as she could. The two little dogs, it seems, were contending for a bone, and the strange one making part in the fray, after he had done the business of one, and heartily thrashed the other, went off. Upon my return home, a corsultation was held what to do; whether to kill the two puppies, or shut them up in the calves' house; my sister pleaded for the latter, which was accordingly done, where they were duly fed, and soused in water for some days, till upon wise Ralph's advice they were released, upon his assurance that so long as they ate and drank, they were safe. And they are both parlour guests again ; and eat, Sancho, especially, is always crying for more food, or rather, I believe, for the pains of his wounds; but indeed he appeared to be half-starved when he came. Little Prince don't seem to have recovered his spirits yet, from the drubbing and wounds he received. But the other is all life. It is now queried whether a mad dog would come into a house and quarrel for a bone. But that does not satisfy me, or make me easy in our present situation. 'Tis, how- ever, resolved that so soon as they begin to be shy of eating or drinking, they are to be shut up, or cut off. Methinks, I hear your wise woman say, if Sister Hetty is for trying experiments, why don't. her brother the Bishop over-rule her imprudence and not allow the least hazard to be run for the sake of a couple of puppy dogs? Peg also is a great advocate for them and dips them every morning in the pond, but all this caution, perhaps, will not acquit us of great folly and rashness. It is believed that numbers of dogs have been shot or hanged for mad that were not so; almost every dog that has been found strolling from home. One that, was pursued lately to be destroyed, a man offered 2s. for, having been sent for a present and was running home again. But by the description, it was not our intruder, whom we have never heard of since he was here. This is a great deal to do about dogs ; but, indeed, it is as matters are circumstanced a very serious subject. Sed de hoc satis. si non superque (107).

Whilst I think of it, let me ask whether I lent you Rotheram on Faith, &. I fear, if it a you returned it, and I know not where it is

The letter you sent me from Ireland (by what hand it came I know not) was from one Mr Otway, Captain of Horse, who had been cajoled into some liking of D.N., and prevailed upon to get him ordained Priest, in order to do something further for him ; but, as he says, having found him tripping, he thought proper to write to me for a character of him, Instead of apologising for writing to me now, I think he will when he sees my answer rather wish that he had done it before he suffered the young man, without exibiting his Deacon's orders, to impose on him and the Bishop he applied to, But Irish Bishops perhaps have Irish Laws, distinct from the English ; my registrar, however, informs me, that they are rather, if anything, stricter, whatever practice upn them may be.

So audacious an act sure never was any clerk guilty of, when he knew he was under legal impediment ; what I am sure would be deemed so throughout England, how slight soever it may be though of in Ireland. My answer to the gentleman's several inquiries about his conduct as a clergyman, and with respect to his wife (by which he has had some (too) late information), I should be glad of procuring a safe conveyance to him. Captain Wood was here last week, and has promised to call here for it when he comes to Peel in order to get off for Ireland. In the meantime, it you should find opportunity by a safer or as safe a hand, I should be glad to lay hold of it, otherwise if you have no such prospect, be pleased to return it by the bearer; and I shall reserve it for the young lieutenant's call, if he does not forget his promise.

I presume this wind has brought the packet, but which I believe is against the gentlemen designing for England. When can you guess, wind and weather favouring, the pacquet will probably leave Douglass again ?

Let me not forget to thank you for the whitings, which, though you mentioned them in your letter, were unexpectedly on the table, your letter being delivered, without the servants saying anything about the fish, I concluded Watts did not bring them.

But, pray, why does Mrs Moore thank me for young Corkhill? I must rather thank her for discharging me from my engagement for his schooling.

Pray, are we to see neither of you till Easter? Hetty was observing that she has not seen Mrs Moore at Bishopscourt since Easter, 1765; and she has been at Douglass twice in that time.. We have had exceeding fine weather for some time, such as might tempt any one to go from home. To Easter, is a long time to expect in our short lives. Will you think of some almanacks for us? The itinerant seller called at Mr Wilks, but never thinks it worth while to see what we want at Bishopscourt.

If I had anything further to say I would turn over, but as I have not, let what you have suffice, from your affectionate Brother,

M.S.M.

By to-morrow perhaps something further may offer. }

Dec. 3. P.S.—That the bearer might go empty-handed, it is just come into my head, with my housekeeper's leave, that he shall take a couple of hagyard (not Hagerd) ducks with him, but not without apology for presuming to suppose your Providitrix can't be furnished with better from Douglas market. N.B—The bag they come in was possessed by Sancho, before his contagious misfortune befel him. He is at present all alive and merry, and, if he could speak, would send his compliments.

Present us kindly to the temporary widow with our best wishes for receiving her lord and master safe and well, with his pockets full of British guineas I presume he is gone off before now. And, if he be, an old shoe from Bishopscourt may go after him by the pacquet. And, if he is here still, desire he will made a very low bow for me to the family in Bell Ally.

If women's tongues are made of aspen leaves, pray are not some men's pens tipt with feathers, or how could they fly over so much paper as they do? Almost without stop or stay. Aye, says somebody, I don't see but the men are as complete gossips, as any of us women.

How does Col. Raitte do? Does he not intend to see Bishopscourt till he comes with you at Easter ? Bishopscourt is a dull place to visit I own. Capt. Malcher, who is so near, comes not, but passes by to some more agreeable place. I think I must give a Ball, and try what that will do. Be it known, however, that I have one every year on the King's Coronation — but that perhaps is not sufficient. Pert as I appear on paper, I am at present in no dancing cue, but ride every day, this calm weatiher, and if it was not to reproach you would scuddle over the monn- tains to Douglass. But really my travelling days are partly over. My next journey will probably be to my long home.

(107) "But enougth about this enough, if not more than enough.